The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1887-10-13
Additional Proceedings Of ,he Knlrhtso Of Labor,

.gG&MIb# EAEP%
REPORT OF MR. PowDERLY.
On Thursday afternoon the 9Th inst
Master Workman owderly read his
address. It took up "a quarto pages u
print. It was received by the delegate
He congratulated the Knights b til
present body was only hall as large az
that which assembled at Richmond.
There followed a detailed account OF the
part the Knights played u year ago in the
trouble between the pork and beef packers
OF Chicago and their employees. As TO tne
reason why the strike was declared on ne
said: #sr~e
spent hours in working an estimate OF
what it would cost to support the numor'
GUS memhers who were thrown on ogr
hands, and became satisfied that, il the
various troubles lasted for any length o.
time we would require at least $500, W
/ knew that we did not rave that aamanpt
to spend, and I also knew That
il an assessment was levied on the
order it would be the the signal for an
attack on the general executive hoard.
knew that no strike or stoppage o..
work ever yet took place that the cry Tor
financial assistance did not go up as soon
as the strike was inaugurated. Iknew
that with 5000 more to take>scares Of,
maI OF whom were not members, we
would require from 500, 900 to $2OnsgOO
to carry on the struggle, and with the
many troubles. on hand I was confident
that we would fail. ,f ~ 49,
I believe that the men OF the stock yards
should work but eight hours; 1 believe
that all laboring men should work but
more than eight hours; but before q
is made in that direction we SHOULD chre.
fully consider the interests of all concerned,
as well as the prospects Of success ipr aathe
undertaking.
In regard to the Chicago anarchists, Mr..
Powderly says: II these men did not have
a fair trial, such as ls guaranteed every
man in the United States, then they should
been found guilty OF murder they should
not be hanged. If they are to be hanged
for the actions of Others it is not just,
The man who threw the bomb in ChicSgQ
should be hanged and his accunlpiice9
should receive the punishment~. allotted
to such offenses by the laws OF the state
OF Illinois. Before the public I have
never said q word concerning these
men. l have never felt called upon to say
anything, for it is none OF my business; YET
some OF their friends have put words OF
condemnation in my mouth in order to
have me say something in their favor. ]
allowed it to 60, as the many false reports
concerning me went unnoticed. felt that
if they could stand it l could. .r-~ssssssasss
Then follows a lot OF correspondence be-
tween Puwderly and representatives of the
order in Chicago, in which he stoutly pro-
tests against allowing any anarchistic reso.
lutions to pass district or local assemblies
or appropliating any money to defray the
expenses OF the anarchists trial. In one
OF MIR. Powderly's letters appears 4fhis
l write to you, as master workman OF
your district, to say that these things are
wrong. They are in direct conflict with the
fundamental law OF the order. Every dele
is 10 teach to the locals that this order is
an army OF peace. 1t follows that
violence on the part OF members "SE, non.
members cannot, must not, be Approved
or excused" For years in the city ofChica.
go the adherents OF the anarchlsts'. cause
have maligned, opposed and insufted~ the
order OF the Knights Of Labor. No matter
how much we may sympathize with them
as fellow beings; no matter how we may
feel as to. the illegality of the trislbyaxhici
they were condemned to death; no matter
though the police had committed an un-
~warrantable act OF interference and pre.
cipitated a conflict on the 4th OF May; no
matter ifit be true that public claIfor, the
frenzy Of the our and the passionsarbused
by the i'll. advised actions OF the men who's
shed the likelihood OF their felloWssen, and 1
creaoeu d sentliHeAV winch nAQ IRE TO 90
with reaching a verdict than the evidence
which was presented to the jury, it stif re-
mains D fixed fact that the order of the
knights Of Labor is not responsible for
such actions as these. As individuals we
may express our feelings as We. plesse, but
as Knights OF Labor we must netSornmit
the order, or any part OF it, to the teach
ings OF the anarchist. ~ -
The master workman introduced his
oo~soc ~ - -, nn 4 a s~nn ,sAl AI~~
quest that they be given more consideration
thar those he has made to pastasse1nblies
have received. he recommends a" United
effort to secure from congress the establish.
ment of q department. of labor
with a cabinet member. He strongly I'D.
vocates the owning and operating OF
telegraphs, telephones and railroads
by the government, and aHudes to al
legged tampering with the election returns
argument. He argues the matter at some
length. He considers these, two the mast
important matters to be urged on con.
gress. He emphasizes the necessity for
education and urges that the order should /.
have a journal that is read by every mem.
Der.
When the last general assembly adjourn
ed the officers Were attacked in q samost
vicious manner by some OF those who Were
present at the general assembly II kbe.
lieve that this general assembly should re-
buke such conduct, and do it in such a
way as to leave no doubt on the minds ois
who seek revenge for insults,
or fancied insults, through sthe
columns OF the public press. I believe
that the evil deeds OF prominent members
OF the general assembly, who have held it's
scorn should be known to the order.
The public press has nov business
with our internal differenceI! N sin.
cerely2 hope That there will be no occa sion
Tor the exercise OF any feeling such az was
manifested in the last general assembly
and that the scenes which. followed the
Richmond session will not be re.enacted.
Mr.. Powderly repeats his protest
against the expulsiongof the cigar-maEers
and his opinion that the resolution passed
at the last assembly vas unconstitutional. :
He advocates the adoption OF a universal
benefit plan. "
II the present incumbent is not the man
to inspire that confidence heSWiff cheeriully
give away to the man OF yonr choice. 1t ia
true that I was elected for twGy Aars,- to.
gether with my brother officers, but waive
all right which ] may have in that direc.
ton. This general assembly is higher thans
it's general Officers, and certainly has the
right to removeany or af5of them and re.
elect them or elect others to take. their :.
places. Ihave stated from the public plat.
form that ] was serving my last term.
am, n make the announcement now, so
that / will not be misunderstood, and that
motives may not.be inisunderstood.
make the confession to you now that-l
have always loved the position 4shohl; !
gloried in it, and have felt honored in +heinp
selected. So much do / honor the position
SO much is the Importance which / attacA<
to it that there il no office in the gift o
the nannlathat j would rather hold NNh.a